China issues economic warning over US ties in Asia-Pacific

China's state-run media says nations that side with the US in the Asia-Pacific will be punished economically. [Source: AP]

China's state-run Global Times says nations that side with the US in the Asia-Pacific will be punished economically, while warning of Chinese "countermeasures" to the US military build-up in the region.

The nationalist tabloid, owned by Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily, warns of China's ability to out-spend the US to safeguard its Asia-Pacific interests, and suggests an "all-out conflict" may be possible.

The Global Times said China would not "stand idly by" as Asian nations strengthened their ties with the US.